A spokesman for Berkeley Group, which owns St George, the development company for the building, said in a statement: "We can confirm a helicopter collided with a crane at St George Wharf at 8am this morning.

"Our thoughts at this time are with the friends and families of those killed in this tragic incident. Emergency services are on the scene and authorities are investigating the circumstances.

"We are offering our full support and assistance to the emergency services."

A Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson said: “Helicopter operations in central London are strictly controlled. Single engine helicopters are required to fly along designated routes, which have been selected to provide maximum safety by routing helicopters along the river Thames, avoiding flying over built up areas as much as possible.

"Twin engine helicopters can operate in wider areas, however all aircraft operating in central London are subject to air traffic control clearance.

“There are requirements for lighting on tall structures. In addition, where appropriate, very tall structures are also notified to pilots for flight planning purposes, as was the case with the crane that was involved in this morning’s accident.

“The independent Air Accidents Investigation Branch is now investigating today’s accident to establish the facts. The CAA will be providing any assistance required.”

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Helicopter Crash In Vauxhall, London

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Pete Barnes, the pilot who died after his helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, London was one of the country's most experienced pilots, having flown choppers in Hollywood movies and ferried politicians and celebrities around the UK. Pete Barnes, 50, worked for "boutique" helicopter company Rotormotion and died after trying to divert the aircraft due to bad weather.

Debris and a burned out car are pictured at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

Debris (R) is pictured beside a fire fighting vehicle at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images)

Debris and a burntout car are pictured at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Thames River police patrol after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. Two people died and nine casualties have been confirmed with one in a critical condition. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Debris and a burned out car are pictured at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

Members of the emergency services prepare a stretcher as they attend to the scene of a helicopter crash in London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images)

The scene after a helicopter crashed into a construction crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

Debris and a burned out car are pictured at the scene of a helicopter in central London, on January 16, 2013. Two people were killed when a helicopter hit a crane at a building site in central London and plunged to the ground on Wednesday, police said. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

The scene after a helicopter crashed into a construction crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

Police close off the junction of Parry Street and Wandsworth Road, after a helicopter crashed into the Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in heavy freezing mist in Vauxhall south London.

Helicopter Crashes in Central London
Credit Victor Jimenez

(Credit: Twitter/craiglet)

(Credit: YouTube/niczerogoeshome)

A general view of the scene shortly after a helicopter crashed in the Vauxhall area of central London, after hitting a crane on top of a tower block by the River Thames, according to eye witness reports, Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo / Toby Scott, PA) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES

(Credit: YouTube/niczerogoeshome)

(Credit: YouTube/niczerogoeshome)

LondonFire London Fire Brigade 12m
Pic from the scene of the #helicopter crash in #vauxhall. We were called at 8am and we put the fire out within 20mins.

Helicopter Crashes in Central London
Credit Victor Jimenez

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

(Credit: Twitter/sevitz)

(Credit: Twitter/Louisp55)

(Credit: Twitter/JakeyyL)

Helicopter Crashes in Central London
Credit Victor Jimenez

(Credit: Twitter/ColinDKavanagh)

Helicopter Crashes in Central London
Credit Victor Jimenez

Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot
At the scene of the crash on Corner of miles st and Wandsworth road #vauxhall #helicoptercrash pic.twitter.com/6d1nCCJe

Helicopter Crashes in Central London
Credit Victor Jimenez

Helicopter Crashes in Central London
Credit Victor Jimenez

Helicopter Crashes in Central London
Credit Victor Jimenez

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A group of firefighters examine the scene from an extendable ladder high above Wandsworth Road, after a helicopter crashed into the crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

A section of the Crane lays in Nine Elms Lane, after crashing to the ground close to St George's Wharf tower building, where a Helicopter crashed into this morning, in Vauxhall south London.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A section of the Crane lays in Nine Elms Lane, after crashing to the ground close to St George's Wharf tower building, where a Helicopter crashed into this morning, in Vauxhall south London.

Emergency services at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London.

A section of the crane lays in Nine Elms Lane, after crashing to the ground close to St George's Wharf tower building, where a helicopter crashed into this morning, in Vauxhall south London.

Police close off the junction of Parry Street and Wandsworth Road, after a helicopter crashed into the Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in heavy freezing mist in Vauxhall south London.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Fog surrounds a damaged crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower after a helicopter reportedly collided with it, in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

Emergency services at the scene of a helicopter crash in central London.

Police close off the Vauxhall Cross intersection, after a Helicopter crashed into a construction Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

Police close off the Vauxhall Cross intersection, after a Helicopter crashed into a construction Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

A small part of the emergency services on the scene at Vauxhall Cross intersection, after a Helicopter crashed into a construction Crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in Vauxhall south London.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: A police officer stands outside a residential bliock near to the scene where a helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. Two people died and nine casualties have been confirmed with one in a critical condition. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A section of the crane (top left) lays in Nine Elms Lane, after crashing to the ground close to St George's Wharf tower building, where a Helicopter crashed into this morning, in Vauxhall south London.

A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. Two people died and nine casualties have been confirmed with one in a critical condition. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Emergency services at the scene after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE: A general view of the crane on top of St George's Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: A damaged crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower after a helicopter reportedly collided with it, in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A general view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower close to the scene where a helicopter crashed in central London.

Smoke billows from the scene following a helicopter crash in central London, after it hit a crane on St. George's Tower building in the Vauxhall area of central London, Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. Police say two people were killed when a helicopter crashed during rush hour in central London after apparently hitting a construction crane on top of a building, obscured behind smoke. (AP Photo/Max James Tolhurst, PA) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES

In this image taken from amateur video, showing a line of flaming debris shortly after a helicopter crash in central London, early Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. Police say two people were killed when a helicopter crashed during rush hour in central London after apparently hitting a construction crane on the side of St. George's Tower in the Vauxhall area of central London. (AP Photo / Nic Walker) TV OUT

In this image taken from amateur video, showing a line of flaming debris shortly after a helicopter crash in central London, early Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. Police say two people were killed when a helicopter crashed during rush hour in central London after apparently hitting a construction crane on the side of St. George's Tower in the Vauxhall area of central London. (AP Photo / Nic Walker) TV OUT

Undated handout photo of the AgustaWestland 109 (AW109) Power that crashed in central London killing two people after the pilot attempted to divert due to bad weather.

Undated handout photo of the AgustaWestland 109 (AW109) Power that crashed in central London killing two people after the pilot attempted to divert due to bad weather.

Undated handout photo of the AgustaWestland 109 (AW109) Power that crashed in central London killing two people after the pilot attempted to divert due to bad weather.

Pete Barnes (middle) the pilot who died after his helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, London was one of the country's most experienced pilots, having flown choppers in Hollywood movies and ferried politicians and celebrities around the UK. Pete Barnes, 50, worked for "boutique" helicopter company Rotormotion and died after trying to divert the aircraft due to bad weather.

Pete Barnes the pilot who died after his helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, London was one of the country's most experienced pilots, having flown choppers in Hollywood movies and ferried politicians and celebrities around the UK. Pete Barnes, 50, worked for "boutique" helicopter company Rotormotion and died after trying to divert the aircraft due to bad weather.

Pete Barnes (right) the pilot who died after his helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, London was one of the country's most experienced pilots, having flown choppers in Hollywood movies and ferried politicians and celebrities around the UK. Pete Barnes, 50, worked for "boutique" helicopter company Rotormotion and died after trying to divert the aircraft due to bad weather.

Pete Barnes (right) the pilot who died after his helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, London was one of the country's most experienced pilots, having flown choppers in Hollywood movies and ferried politicians and celebrities around the UK. Pete Barnes, 50, worked for "boutique" helicopter company Rotormotion and died after trying to divert the aircraft due to bad weather.